It’s just, or so the Eagles can hope, there are many more projects like this ahead. Hurts had 301 total yards in the first half in the breakout game of his young career, finishing with three total touchdowns as he led Philadelphia to a 24-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. “Big performance on a big stage,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs down the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Rourke Trying to prove he can play like the best franchise QBs in the NFL, Hurts looked completely unstoppable from the get-go. Hurts hit five receivers in 5-for-5 passing — highlighted by a 19-yard strike to AJ Brown — and capped the drive himself with a 3-yard run. In the opening win against Detroit, Hurts failed to complete a pass in five attempts and the Eagles turned the ball over on the first drive of the game. Does he turn the ball over on downs? This just seemed like a rumor against the Vikings. The TD was just the rise for the 24-year-old Hurts to throw, run, impose his will with every tool available against a Vikings defense that couldn’t solve him in his 21st career start. He finished with 333 yards passing and one touchdown, and 57 yards and two scores on the ground. “Another great performance. He threw some unbelievable balls. He made a lot of plays,” Eagles center Jason Kelce said. “That was a really great, complete game for him.” On the first play of the second quarter, Hurts connected with an open Quez Watkins for a 53-yard TD and a 14-0 lead. “It always comes with time, and as time goes on, you get more comfortable with what you’re doing,” Hurts said. Darius Slay, who had two interceptions against a hapless Kirk Cousins, had named each of the Eagles’ trio of talented receivers Batman. There was Brown, the “bloated” Batman who had five catches for 69 yards. DeVonta Smith was the “skinny” Batman who had seven for 80 yards. and Watkins was the “quick” Batman who had the burners on for the easy score (and 69 total receiving yards). Why is everyone Batman? “No Robbins. We don’t have sidekicks,” Slay said. Hurts dazzled with a 26-yard TD run with 1:58 left in the half and Jake Elliott still had time to hit a 38-yarder to give the Eagles a 24-7 halftime lead. “I don’t think it matters how we score as long as we put points on the board,” Hertz said. In a Week 2 full of improbable comebacks, it might not have been wise to count the Vikings out. But Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson — famously passed over by the Eagles in the 2020 draft — never had anything of substance against the Eagles and abused defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Slay had his second interception of the game in the fourth quarter as the scoreboard soon flashed “Big Play Slay.” “At times, myself included, it felt like we pushed a little bit,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. Hurts had 50 yards rushing and 251 yards passing in the first half. Cousins finished the game 27-for-46 for 221 yards and three interceptions. His lone TD was on a 2-yard pass to Irv Smith in the second quarter. Jefferson had six catches for 48 yards on the week after he had 184 receiving yards and two TDs in a win against Green Bay. “I don’t take any match lightly, but he’s one of the best in the world. I’m one of the best in the world, too. I was looking forward to the fight,” Slay said of Jefferson. PHILLY CELEBS Bryce Harper (wearing an Eagles hat), James Harden (who was handed the ball by Slay after his first interception) and Bradley Cooper (wearing an Allen Iverson T-shirt) were among the packed crowd singing fight songs in the Opener home Eagles. Harden stuffed his souvenir, posting a photo on Instagram with his left hand holding the ball with the caption, “Gimme That!” The Philadelphia 76ers star took selfies with fans before leaving late in the game. Harden was waiting in the tunnel for Slay to autograph the football. Harden good-naturedly told Slay that he should have even more interceptions. “He was shocked that I gave it to him,” said Slay, who noted that he kept the ball from the second pick. FAMOUS RING Dick Vermeil received his Hall of Fame ring at halftime. In his third season in Philadelphia, the great coach led the Eagles to their first playoff appearance in 18 years. He led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in the 1980 season only to lose to the Oakland Raiders, 27-10. COACH ROOM Vikings safety Harrison Smith was evaluated for a concussion. NEXT Vikings: Return home Sunday to play the Lions. Eagles: Kick off a reunion tour Sunday when they travel to play the Washington Commanders and former QB Carson Wentz. The Eagles return home on Sunday, Oct. 2 to play the Jacksonville Jaguars, led by head coach Doug Pederson. Wentz and Pederson, of course, played pivotal roles in helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl in the 2017 postseason. Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
